Mercedes had high hopes for the long-wheelbase CLA L developed specifically for the Chinese market. However, the model has turned into a major sales disappointment, with only 627 units sold during the first half of 2026, and production of the Mercedes CLA L is reportedly being suspended.
Mercedes placed great expectations on the new CLA, particularly the electric version, which was designed as a direct rival to the Tesla Model 3. It offers more advanced technology than the American model but also comes with a significantly higher price tag.
While the electric Mercedes CLA has been a strong success in Europe, with 25,500 units registered in just a few months through February 2026—representing more than half of total CLA sales—the long-wheelbase Mercedes CLA L has failed to achieve similar popularity in China.
According to mbpassion.de, only 627 Mercedes CLA L units were sold during the first six months of 2026. As a result, production of the model has reportedly been temporarily halted at the Beijing Benz Automotive Co. (BBAC) joint-venture plant. Mercedes has not officially confirmed the production stop.
Sales statistics show that Mercedes sold 35 CLA L units in January and 21 in February, followed by a sharp increase to 358 units in March. However, sales then declined again, with 52 units sold in April and 161 in May. Official figures for June have not yet been released.
Mercedes had pinned high hopes on this model not only in China but also in the United States. That is why it developed a China-specific version, the CLA L, measuring 4.76 meters in length with a 2.83-meter wheelbase—4 cm longer than the European model.
The additional 4 cm of wheelbase translates into more rear knee room, while the rear seat cushion is 1 cm longer and the backrest has been reshaped to provide greater comfort for Chinese customers.
The multimedia system has also been tailored to the Chinese market. Instead of Google Maps, the navigation system uses Amap, developed by AutoNavi, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group. The MBUX Virtual Assistant is powered by DouBao, an AI model developed by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok. Meanwhile, MB.DRIVE Assist Pro enables autonomous driving in urban areas and was developed by Mercedes’ Shanghai engineering team using AI before being extensively tested in Chinese traffic conditions.
In addition, the Mercedes CLA L offers a class-leading driving range that has no direct rival in the Chinese market. The version equipped with the larger 85 kWh net battery delivers a CLTC-rated range of 866 km, compared with 792 km for the European model.
However, it appears that all these China-specific adaptations were not enough. In the end, the higher price compared with both Chinese competitors and the Tesla Model 3 appears to have had a dramatic impact on sales.
